Quick to make and nutritious, these whole grain oatmeal jam bars are bursting with fruity flavor and topped with a buttery oatmeal crumble.
My husband gets home from work every day around mid afternoon. He will walk in the door, greet my daughter and I, pet the dogs, take off her steel toed boots and head to the kitchen for a snack and refreshment. Usually his snack is something quick. A few slices of cheese. A handful of nuts. Or on occasion, a hard boiled egg.
One afternoon I decided to surprise him with a home baked snack — something fresh from the oven. Having a baby in tow I knew it couldn’t be elaborate or time consuming so I opted for a jam bar. My favorite oatmeal jar bar recipe comes from a very well known cook. However, her oatmeal jam bar is packed full of sugar and no protein. Inspired by her delicious recipe, I decided to create a healthier version including a natural sweetener, fresh milled flour and a scoop of peanut butter for added protein.
Upon my husbands arrival, he was thrilled to find a healthy raspberry oatmeal jam bar waiting for him on the kitchen counter. Delicious and satisfying, he had to get himself a second square, for good measure.
Approved by the family, these whole grain oatmeal jam bars are going to become a staple on our homestead. If you’re searching for a quick and healthy snack idea or a low sugar fresh milled flour dessert recipe, give these a try. I’m certain they will be a family favorite for you as well.
Why You Will Love This Jam Bar Recipe
- Simple and Quick – Easy oatmeal jam bars are a great snack to make for your kids or even as a quick dessert during the weekdays. Within a matter of moments and a few whole food ingredients you’ll have a healthy after school snack recipe.
- Healthy and Delicious – The combination of organic oats and fresh milled flour makes these oatmeal bars with jam filling not only nutritious but packed full of flavor.
- Make it Your Own – The best part about this fresh milled flour recipe is you can adjust it to suit your taste. Add jam, fruit butters or chocolate spreads in the filling. Toss in a pinch of spice such as cinnamon into the crumble. Swap out peanut butter for your favorite nut butter.
Are Oats Good for You?
Oats are high in soluble fiber and magnesium making them a perfect addition to this old fashioned oatmeal jam bars recipe. They are also a great source of minerals and vitamins, are gluten-free and can help support a healthy gut and intestinal tract. In addition to these health benefits, oats can help with weight loss because they keep your belly fuller for longer.
Are Oats Worth Buying Organic?
While organic and conventional oats are similar in nutrition, conventional oats are heavily covered in pesticides including glyphosate. If you are seeking to minimize the consumption of pesticides in your diet, buying organic oats is a better choice. Often time organic oats can be higher in price, depending on where you purchase them from, however if cost is an issue, try buying organic oats in bulk to save money.
Jam Bar Filling Ideas
This after school snack recipe may be called a jam bar, however you don’t just have to stick with a traditional strawberry or grape filling, try these ideas instead:
- Raspberry jam
- Blueberry jam
- Apple butter
- Pumpkin butter
- Chocolate spread
- Chia seed jam
- Marmalade
- Peach butter
Easy Oatmeal Jam Bars
Healthy oatmeal bars with jam made with fresh milled flour, oats and peanut butter are a favorite snack on our homestead. Serve with a big glass of cold milk!
Makes: 9 bars
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups freshly milled soft white wheat flour
1 1/2 cups rolled oats
6 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup heaping peanut butter
1/4 cup agave nectar or honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2/3 cup jam
Directions
Preheat oven to 350° F.
In a bowl mix together flour, oats, salt and baking powder. Add the butter, peanut butter and agave to a small saucepan. Warm until the mixture has melted together. Pour over oats and stir to combine.
Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared pan. Spread jam on top. Sprinkle overtop the remaining oats.
Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove pan from oven and allow bars to cool completely before cutting. Cut into bars and serve. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Recipe Variations
- If you don’t have any agave on hand, try honey. Granulated sugar or sucanat will also work.
- Use almond butter or sunflower butter if you don’t like peanut butter.
- Use any kind of jam or jelly you’d like. Even fruit butters would be delicious.
Try These Delicious Snack Recipes
Whole Grain Oatmeal Jam Bars
Quick to make and nutritious, these whole grain oatmeal jam bars are bursting with fruity flavor and topped with a buttery oatmeal crumble.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups freshly milled soft white wheat flour
- 1 1/2 cups rolled oats
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 1/4 cup heaping peanut butter
- 1/4 cup agave nectar or honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2/3 cup jam
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- In a bowl mix together flour, oats, salt and baking powder. Add the butter, peanut butter and agave to a small saucepan. Warm until the mixture has melted together. Pour over oats and stir to combine.
- Line an 8x8 baking pan with parchment paper. Press 2/3 of the mixture into the prepared pan. Spread jam on top. Sprinkle overtop the remaining oats.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes. Remove pan from oven and allow bars to cool completely before cutting. Cut into bars and serve. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
